Rants, Stupid Shit and Coronavirus in Thailand

[Member #4753]

This is a reply from the Bangkok thread.

Yes, the concepts you describe are valid, but the time frame is not universally agreed. There was a USA study that shows about 50% of initial protection after 6 months, but there is a British study that shows very little loss of protection after 6 months. Sorry that I can't find the link to the reference, this is something I read about a week ago. Both studies were for mRNA vaccines, one addressed only Pfizer while the other addressed both Pfizer and Moderna, I can't remember which is which.

This is another decision point for those who trust vaccines and those who don't.

The studies that you refer to were published in the The Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine. The general conclusion was that Pfizer's efficacy reduced from 90% to 50% after 6 months against infection, but still at 90% protection against serious desease. Moderna's efficacy was at about 70% after 6 months. Althought both mRna vaccines are very similar, Pfizer uses about 30 units of the active component while Moderna uses 100 units. So it stands to reason that because Moderna uses 3 times the dose it will wane slower.

[HorseTrader]

The level of antibodies and therefore protection from serious illness seemingly does decline round about 6 months after initial full vaccination, hence the importance of the booster. Whether you are also more likely to become infected and more likely to transmit as far as I can tell is still not fully understood but true or not it's a common belief in Thailand that Sinovac loses on both scores within 6 months.

This is a reply from the Bangkok thread.

Yes, the concepts you describe are valid, but the time frame is not universally agreed. There was a USA study that shows about 50% of initial protection after 6 months, but there is a British study that shows very little loss of protection after 6 months. Sorry that I can't find the link to the reference, this is something I read about a week ago. Both studies were for mRNA vaccines, one addressed only Pfizer while the other addressed both Pfizer and Moderna, I can't remember which was which.

To boost or not to boost is another decision point for those who trust vaccines and those who don't.

[Banana Boi]

I read a guy who tested positive is now in hospital for at least 10 days. He is asymptomatic. "Kirovs estimates he may have to pay 350,000 Baht towards hospital and quarantine fees if his insurance provider won't cover it. " The gamble one has to take going to Thailand right now.

[Member #4753]

Any idea on what makes the difference. If arriving from UK is it 30 or 45 ?

I believe when 14 day quarantine was in place they would add 15 days to your normal 30 days stay. So your stay on arrival was 45 days. 15 days being the actual time of quarantine as the first day did not count.

Now that quarantine is no longer required they should revert back to 30 days on arrival.

Having said that, it is a little messy right now to what is exactly happening and when the dust settles it will be much clearer.

[Crazy4Thai]

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

Thanks. Silly me, somehow I thought Thai Pass would be 1 stop shopping. I get it now.

[Franciscass]

Some people have 30 days and some have 45 days. .

Any idea on what makes the difference. If arriving from UK is it 30 or 45 ?

[Franciscass]

Thailand Pass does not give you a visa. Your first step is to get a visa, or decide to enter Visa Exempt. If you choose the latter, tell Thailand Pass you are staying for 30 days.

Lovely people, great food, world class hotels and resorts whether you enjoy mountains or beaches, interesting entertaining nightlife but is there a more chaotic confusing immigration department on the planet?

Thanks to all who responded.

[Banana Boi]

Thai e-Visa service will be temporarily unavailable from 10 December 2021 at 11.00 AM to 12 December 2021 at 11.00 PM (UTC).

Pretty impressive they can predict a system upgrade over a month away. Luckily I'll already be in Thailand by December 10.

[Member #4753]

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

Attention: Due to system upgrade, Thai e-Visa service will be temporarily unavailable from 10 December 2021 at 11.00 AM to 12 December 2021 at 11.00 PM (UTC). Should there be any enquiries, please contact Thai Embassy / Consulate at your country of residence.

A truly "only in Thailand moment".

[Banana Boi]

I applied today for my Thailand pass. From press the button to receive the QR code in my mail took less than an hour.

There is very quick 'automatic' approval for Thailand Pass if you completed your app correctly and Thailand has received the pki (public key infrastructure) from your country.

[Explorer8939]

Are you sure? I am about to fall down that rabbit hole and was sure that I read that during the process you will choose your length of stay, which equals a visa or no visa for 30 days. For example I intend to stay 60 days that translates to a tourist visa. Once in country you can always extend by 30 days for a fee. I think it's 1900 baht. If you don't get your visa through Thailand Pass, where do you get it "first?

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

[Mr Enternational]

If you don't get your visa through Thailand Pass, where do you get it "first?

The Thai embassy or consulate as has always been the case. Unless you are eligible for visa on arrival, in which case you get it from the immigration agent when you arrive at the airport in Bangkok.

[Crazy4Thai]

Thailand Pass does not give you a visa. Your first step is to get a visa, or decide to enter Visa Exempt. If you choose the latter, tell Thailand Pass you are staying for 30 days.

Are you sure? I am about to fall down that rabbit hole and was sure that I read that during the process you will choose your length of stay, which equals a visa or no visa for 30 days. For example I intend to stay 60 days that translates to a tourist visa. Once in country you can always extend by 30 days for a fee. I think it's 1900 baht. If you don't get your visa through Thailand Pass, where do you get it "first?

[CIMguy]

Tried but couldn't find answers.

How long can one stay using the Thailand pass.

Can the stay be extended once here.

Many thanks.

Some people have 30 days and some have 45 days. They have special rules right now allowing you to extend your stay another 30 days with a quick trip the immigration office and a 1000 bht fee. I will be going to do that again and I think there is more involved the second time. I can report here when I find out how it works.

The Phuket office right off beach road in Patong was pretty easy. Get there before 3 pm because the lady who does the visa extensions leaves at that time. One note, let them do the visa copies there for 100 bht or whatever it is. The nearest place to get copies will take you an hour and / or cost you more than 100 bht in taxis. Several of us didn't understand that he could do the copies there and almost left to get them done near the hospital. It's much quicker and easier to have him do it.

[Mr Scand]

Tried but couldn't find answers.

How long can one stay using the Thailand pass.

Can the stay be extended once here.

Many thanks.

For me it is 30 days, however I think that is related to Visa rules more than the Thailand pass. Normally we have 30 days on arrival.